A key cluster for a core technology

The global Digital Signal Processing (DSP) industry has been a key technology in the rapid development of new telecommunication and consumer electronics appliances, with companies and research organizations in Flanders playing a major role in this evolution.

The Flemish Government designated DSP a core technology and has recognized the privately established "DSP Valley" as a technology cluster of leading companies, research groups and universities specialized in various aspects of digital image and video processing, digital audio and sound processing, and communication and navigation technologies.

Today, the cluster has more than 40 business members and more than 2,000 DSP experts working within its various member organizations.

Support from IMEC

Major international players include ST Microelectronics (mixed analog/digital chips for wireline and wireless telecom), Agfa Gevaert (digital consumer imaging products; digital graphics systems; and technical imaging, including health care systems and non-destructive testing) and Philips (digital sound, multimedia and home networking). Other businesses playing leading roles include AnSem, Barco Silex, Dekimo, Easics, PMTC, Cochlear, Mind, Q-Star Test, Septentrio, Target Compiler Technologies, Telindus and Xilinx.

The company-side of the cluster is supported by IMEC, Europe's largest independent research center in the field of microelectronics, nanotechnology, enabling design methods and technologies for ICT systems. IMEC's activities concentrate on the design technology for integrated information and communication systems; silicon process steps and modules, silicon processes; nanotechnology, microsystems, components and packaging; solar cells; and advanced training in microelectronics. The cluster is supported as well by the highly focused departments of electrical engineering and computer sciences at the universities of Leuven, Ghent and Brussels.

The cluster concept enables businesses to benefit from cross-fertilization of ideas and transfer of know-how as well as a range of synergies.

There are opportunities to bridge missing links in technology or design flow and to take advantage of turnkey solutions. This in turn results in faster time-to-market, lower production costs and enhanced product performance.

An established infrastructure awaits foreign companies looking to join this go-ahead community in the Flanders Digital Signal Processing industry.


For more info: www.dspvalley.com